Career Competency Building

I was shadowing a coaching client in her leadership meeting when I watched this brilliant woman apologize six times in 30 minutes. 1. “Sorry, this might be off-topic, but..." 2. “I'm could be wrong, but what if we..." 3. “Sorry again, I know we're running short on time..." 4. “I don't want to step on anyone's toes, but..." 5. “This is just my opinion, but..." 6. “Sorry if I'm being too pushy..." Her ideas? They were game-changing. Every single one. Here's what I've learned after decades of coaching women leaders: Women are masterful at reading the room and keeping everyone comfortable. It's a superpower. But when we consistently prioritize others' comfort over our own voice, we rob ourselves, and our teams, of our full contribution. The alternative isn't to become aggressive or dismissive. It's to practice “gracious assertion": • Replace "Sorry to interrupt" with "I'd like to add to that" • Replace "This might be stupid, but..." with "Here's another perspective" • Replace "I hope this makes sense" with "Let me know what questions you have" • Replace "I don't want to step on toes" with "I have a different approach" • Replace "This is just my opinion" with "Based on my experience" • Replace "Sorry if I'm being pushy" with "I feel strongly about this because" But how do you know if you're hitting the right note? Ask yourself these three questions: • Am I stating my needs clearly while respecting others' perspectives? (Assertive) • Am I dismissing others' input or bulldozing through objections? (Aggressive) • Am I hinting at what I want instead of directly asking for it? (Passive-aggressive) You can be considerate AND confident. You can make space for others AND take up space yourself. Your comfort matters too. Your voice matters too. Your ideas matter too. And most importantly, YOU matter. @she.shines.inc #Womenleaders #Confidence #selfadvocacy

I never understood the importance of financial literacy Until I started preparing for my CA exams. Managing my money was always so overwhelming for me specially when I had just started to take up more responsibilities. But if I had to start again, these are areas I would never ignore: → A budget is a plan for your money. Whether you prefer the 50/30/20 rule or the envelope method, find a system that helps you prioritize essential expenses, avoid unnecessary spending and save for your future.  → Your credit score can impact everything from loan approvals to interest rates. To improve your credit, keep your credit utilization under 30%, pay bills on time and check your credit report regularly for errors.  → Saving is not the same for everyone. Define your goals whether it’s an emergency fund or a big purchase and create a plan. Consistency is more important even if that means you’re starting small.  → Debt isn’t bad but how you manage it matters. Before borrowing know your debt-to-income ratio, avoid overextending yourself financially and create a repayment plan to minimize interest and stay on track.  → If you want to build wealth, learn the basics of investing in stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Understand the risks and diversify your portfolio to balance short-term goals with long-term growth.  Financial literacy becomes a must to deal with emergencies, handle stress and achieve your goals confidently. So, how financially literate do you feel? #financialliteracy #moneymanagement

Project management isn't really about managing projects. Sure, there's the larger project life cycle and associated tasks, dependencies, timing, and budget that need to be managed. But effective project management is really PEOPLE management. Projects largely deal with change, and change has everything to do with people. → Getting people from A to B. → Getting them to embrace "new" or "different" → Getting people to reject "this is the way we've always done things" And because we deal in the business of people, we've got to be good at everything dealing with them. ✅ Support ✅ Education ✅ Facilitation ✅ Negotiation ✅ Critical thinking ✅ Problem-solving ✅ Conflict resolution ✅ Emotional intelligence ✅ Servant leadership ✅ Communication ✅ Active listening ✅ Collaboration ✅ Adaptability ✅ Teamwork ✅ Training There's a whole lot more that PMs have to be good at beyond these power skills. Ex: process development, risk management, planning, change control, etc. But the foundation lies with being good with people. So get good at that first. Develop a reputation as the "go-to" for knowledge + support. Be your team's most collaborative weapon. Embrace challenging conversations. It's in the drive to be multiskilled that a PM truly becomes effective. Always be looking to add to your toolbox.

Stop guessing your next move—let a Personal Development Plan guide your progress. A while back, I mentored a professional named Rahul, who felt he was being repeatedly overlooked for promotions. We conducted a competency mapping session and discovered a key gap in his ability to work cross-functionally and lead diverse teams. 🧩 Rather than feeling discouraged, Rahul saw this as an opportunity. We built a Personal Development Plan (PDP) to close those gaps. By enrolling in relevant courses and taking on cross-departmental projects, Rahul not only improved his skills but also earned the promotion he had been aiming for. 👉 What is a Personal Development Plan (PDP)? A PDP is a roadmap for your career growth, detailing the specific skills you need to develop to advance in your role. Here are the Key Sections every PDP should include: 💢Self-Assessment: Identify your current strengths and areas for improvement based on feedback or a competency mapping session. 💢Goal Setting: Set clear, measurable goals for what you want to achieve in your career (e.g., leadership skills, cross-functional collaboration). 💢Action Plan: Outline the steps you’ll take to close the gaps, such as enrolling in courses, seeking mentorship, or participating in projects. 💢Timeline: Assign deadlines to each action item to track your progress and stay on course. 💢Evaluation: Regularly assess your progress through self-reflection or feedback from peers and supervisors. 💡 Key Action Points: ⚜️Use competency mapping to identify specific skill gaps. ⚜️Develop a Personal Development Plan to close those gaps. ⚜️Engage in practical experiences like cross-functional projects or targeted training. Feeling stuck in your career? Start building your personal development plan today and tackle those skill gaps head-on! #CareerDevelopment #SkillGaps #PersonalDevelopmentPlan #LeadershipSkills #CompetencyMapping #ProfessionalGrowth

Project Management Cheat Sheet 1. Key Phases of a Project 1.1. Initiation: Define the project scope, goals, and objectives. Identify stakeholders. Develop a business case or project charter. 1.2. Planning: Create a project plan (scope, timeline, budget, resources). Develop a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Identify risks and plan mitigation strategies. 1.3. Execution: Assign tasks to team members. Monitor progress and ensure quality deliverables. Manage stakeholder communication. 1.4. Monitoring & Controlling: Track project performance against KPIs (e.g., cost, time, scope). Manage risks and implement changes. Conduct regular status updates and reviews. 1.5. Closure: Deliver the final product or service. Obtain client or stakeholder sign-off. 2. Common Project Management Methodologies Waterfall: Sequential approach (ideal for predictable projects). Agile: Iterative and flexible (ideal for dynamic projects). Scrum: Framework under Agile with sprints. Kanban: Visual task management using boards. PRINCE2: Process-driven framework focused on control. 3. Essential Documents and Tools 3.1. Documents: Project Charter Project Plan Risk Register Gantt Chart Issue Log Stakeholder Register 3.2. Tools: Task Management: Trello, Asana, Jira Timeline Planning: Microsoft Project, Smartsheet Communication: Slack, Microsoft Teams Collaboration: Google Workspace, Miro 4. Project Management Metrics (KPIs) Schedule Performance Index (SPI): Actual progress vs. planned progress. Cost Performance Index (CPI): Earned value vs. actual costs. Burn Rate: Rate of spending project budget. Milestone Completion: Percentage of milestones completed on time. Customer Satisfaction: Stakeholder or client feedback. 5. Risk Management Process Identify risks (brainstorming, checklists). Assess risks (impact and probability). Plan risk responses (mitigate, transfer, accept, avoid). Monitor and control risks throughout the project. 6. Tips for Effective Project Management Define Clear Objectives: Ensure everyone understands the goals. Communicate Often: Keep stakeholders updated. Prioritize Tasks: Focus on high-value activities. Stay Flexible: Be ready to adapt to changes. Document Everything: Maintain proper records for accountability. Use Technology: Leverage tools to streamline workflows. Evaluate Performance: Regularly review team and project performance. 7. Common Challenges and Solutions 7.1. Scope Creep: Solution: Define scope clearly and use a change management process. 7.2. Poor Communication: Solution: Establish clear communication channels and regular updates. 7.3. Budget Overruns: Solution: Monitor spending closely and manage risks proactively. 7.4. Missed Deadlines: Solution: Use detailed planning and track progress frequently. 7.5. Resource Allocation Issues: Solution: Use resource management tools and prioritize tasks. Keep this cheat sheet handy to ensure you stay on top of your project management responsibilities and deliver successful outcomes!

Your school didn’t teach you financial literacy. But as a business owner, if you’re not learning it now, You gotta be prepared to struggle. Understanding numbers isn’t optional in business. It’s essential. Without it, you’ll always feel like you’re flying blind. Here’s why financial education matters: 1️⃣ Profit doesn’t mean cash flow Your business can look profitable on paper but still run out of money. Cash flow is king, learn to manage it. 2️⃣ Debt can be a tool or a trap Understand the cost of borrowing. Not all debt is bad, but misuse it, and it’ll hold your business back. 3️⃣ Taxes are NOT just a yearly chore Tax efficiency can save thousands. Learn the basics or get professional advice early. How can you improve your financial literacy? Read smart: → Books like Profit First or The E-Myth Revisited are game-changers. Upskill online: → Platforms like YouTube offer free resources on budgeting and business finance. Work with your accountant: → Ask questions. A good accountant will help you understand your numbers. When you understand your finances, You gain control over your business. And when you control your business, The possibilities are endless. Make financial literacy a priority. It’ll change the way you grow.

Everyone wants a great plan. But very few understand the real power lies in the act of planning—not the document you walk away with. 🎓 One of the greatest gifts of being an educator is not just teaching content—but shaping how future leaders think. Today, I shared a lesson during a talk that sparked some powerful dialogue: “The plan itself is not the real value— It’s the planning process that transforms how you lead, adapt, and create lasting impact.” Planning is often misunderstood as documentation. But real leaders know it’s a strategic thinking exercise one that stretches your foresight, sharpens your decision-making, and increases your resilience to uncertainty. So here are 3 thought-provoking lessons I teach about planning that will change how you approach your career (and your value): 1. Planning is not About Predicting, It’s About Preparing Most people create plans hoping to control the future. But true leaders use planning to increase their readiness. Key Question: “What assumptions am I making—and how do I plan for when they don’t hold?” Careers, like projects, rarely go as planned. Planning well helps you surface blind spots before they become breakdowns. 2. The Best Planners Are the Most Adaptable Rigid plans create fragile leaders. But flexible planning builds strategic agility. The true benefit of planning is being able to pivot with purpose, not panic under pressure. Build the habit: Regularly reframe your goals in the face of new information. Your ability to lead through uncertainty is your true competitive edge. 3. Your Planning Process Reveals Your Thinking Strategy Planning forces you to answer: – What matters most? – What are the risks? – Who do I need to involve? – How will I measure success? That mental clarity doesn’t just improve execution—it builds executive presence. It signals that you’re not just reacting… you’re orchestrating. If you are not planning, you’re drifting. If you are planning without reflection, you’re just filling templates. But if you’re planning strategically you are shaping your future with intention. 🧠 The next time you are tempted to skip the planning process, remember this: Planning is not a task. It is an a leadership habit. Agree? #FolaElevates #StrategicPlanning #CareerGrowth #LeadershipDevelopment #FutureReady #NeuroStrategicLeadership #EducatorImpact #ProjectLeadership #AgilityInAction

Persuasion isn’t personality – it’s practice. Here’s how to train it. Persuasion is a skill that I train with my CEO coaching clients. And the most compelling leaders practice a few simple behaviors that make their message stick. Here are 7 habits of highly persuasive people: 🔹 1. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 Instead of pushing their viewpoint, they invite you to arrive at the answer yourself. 👉 𝘌𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦: “𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘴𝘬 𝘪𝘧 𝘸𝘦 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘥𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦’𝘷𝘦 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘯𝘦?” 🔹 2. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 A well-timed pause builds tension and makes your words land with more weight. 🔹 3. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬 Emotions outlast data. The best persuaders frame facts inside narratives that spark connection. 👉 𝘌𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦: “𝘑𝘰𝘣𝘴 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘶𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘪𝘭 𝘢 𝘱𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦. 𝘏𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘯𝘦𝘸 𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 — 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘯𝘰 𝘣𝘶𝘵𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘴.” 🔹 4. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐌𝐢𝐫𝐫𝐨𝐫 & 𝐌𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡 Top influencers naturally align their energy, tone, and gestures with others to create trust. 🔹 5. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐔𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 They don’t just explain “why”. They tell you “why now”. 👉 𝘌𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦: “𝘌𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘯 𝘶𝘴.” 🔹 6. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐔𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 “𝐁𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞” People are more likely to follow a request when given a reason — even a simple one. 👉 𝘌𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦: “𝘓𝘦𝘵’𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘥 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦.” 🔹 7. 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 “𝐘𝐞𝐬” 𝐄𝐚𝐬𝐲 Persuaders remove barriers. They make the first step feel effortless. 👉 𝘌𝘹𝘢𝘮𝘱𝘭𝘦: “𝘞𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳?” BONUS: 8. Tell your audience the story they would tell themselves. Which of these habits do you rely on most? Let me know below! ⬇ ♻️ Repost to help your network and follow me, Oliver Aust, to become a top 1% communicator.

Ever taken countless courses, only to find they all trace back to one book? Copywriting Secrets by Jim Edwards. It’s about selling more... a lot more. But, what can techs take away from it? The most valuable skill - persuasion. How to persuade others to take action. Here are my takeaways from the book: Understand Your Audience • Identify needs, pain points, and desires. • Define your Unique Selling Proposition (USP). • Focus on one big idea. Attract Interest • Craft a benefit-driven headline. • Use curiosity hooks (questions, teasers, surprises). • Highlight transformation (before & after). Engage Emotions • Use storytelling (relatable, emotional). • Build trust (social proof, testimonials, guarantees). • Focus on benefits, not features. Persuade With Proof • Create urgency (time limits, countdowns). • Leverage scarcity (limited stock, exclusivity). • Address objections (FAQs, risk reversal). Simplify Your Message • Use clear, simple language. • Be specific (numbers, examples, outcomes). • Keep formatting clean (bullets, subheadings). Direct Action • Include a clear call-to-action (CTA). • Repeat key messages strategically. • Make CTAs visible and actionable. Optimize Results • A/B test headlines, CTAs, and offers. • Iterate based on performance data. • Focus on what resonates. Whether it’s selling products, pitching ideas, or leading teams, Persuasion is the skill that drives it all. ------------

💔 “The Brilliant Woman Who Was Interrupted 7 Times in 5 Minutes” During a leadership workshop, one of my clients shared something that stayed with me. Her voice broke a little as she said: 👉 “I counted… seven times in five minutes. They cut me off. By the end, I just gave up speaking.” I watched her eyes as she spoke. They weren’t just narrating an incident—they were telling the story of exhaustion. She described the scene in detail: The sharp tone of the first interruption. The laughter after the second. The shuffling of papers as if her words didn’t matter. By the fourth, her shoulders slumped. By the seventh, silence swallowed her brilliance. That moment pierced me. Because she didn’t just lose her voice in that meeting—she lost an opportunity to influence. And the room lost the chance to hear an idea that could have shaped strategy. 🚧 The Obstacle Gender bias doesn’t always announce itself. It creeps in quietly. In how often a woman is cut off. In how her ideas are overlooked until someone else repeats them. In how she’s told—implicitly or explicitly—to “be patient, wait your turn.” And here’s the truth: brilliance shouldn’t need permission to exist. 💡 How I Helped as a Communication Skills Trainer We worked on three things: ✔️ #AssertiveCommunication – rehearsing responses to interruptions that were firm but professional. ✔️ Power phrases – short, sharp lines that create space and command attention. ✔️ #ExecutivePresence – voice control, body language, and the subtle shifts that make people pause and listen. ✨ The Transformation At her next boardroom meeting, she walked in differently. She wasn’t waiting for permission. She wasn’t hoping not to be interrupted. She was ready. She didn’t just speak. She owned the table. And the most powerful part? The very people who had once interrupted her… leaned in, took notes, and listened. 🌍 The Learning As leaders, we must recognize that #GenderBias in communication is not imaginary. It’s real. It’s silent. And it shapes careers every single day. That’s why assertiveness training isn’t optional for women leaders. It’s #Leadership. It’s #Survival. It’s #Power. ⸻ 🔑 For Leaders Reading This: Have you ever witnessed brilliance being silenced in your boardroom? The bigger question is—what did you do about it?